New Fremantle midfielder Tahleah Mulder may have only played four WAFLW games for South Fremantle, but it was enough for Freo’s AFLW recruiters to pounce at no.3 in the AFLW Supplementary Draft.
The 21-year-old made the step up to South Fremantle from amateur football with Piara Waters, where she was previously a teammate of Freo ruck Sarah Wielstra.
The draftee’s eagerness to learn has served her well at WAFLW level and she plans to lean on that desire once again as she makes another big step up.
“It’s gone super quickly, just to go from amateurs,” Mulder said.
“I’ve only played four games and now I’m already here (at Fremantle). It’s super surreal but I’m stoked and can’t wait to get started.
“We’ve had a big pre-season in the WAFLW, and I feel like I’ve known the girls at South Freo for a lifetime already.
“It’s only four games in but it certainly doesn’t feel like it, I’ve learnt so much in that time.”
An hour after her name was called, Mulder was welcomed to the Club with a surprise visit from Wielstra, Airlie Runnalls and Freo captain Hayley Miller.
Mulder said she admired Miller more than any other player.
“It was so awesome to see them all!” Mulder said.
“Sarah and I have been friends going back a few years so it’s cool to have her here.
“Hayley Miller, I look up to her so much, I admire her and base my game off her as well. It’s really cool to have her here.
“I love her acceleration and burst from stoppages and her power. I like to feel like we have the same strengths.”
Welcome to the Freo family Tahleah 🥰#AFLWDraft #foreverfreo pic.twitter.com/ZAzOeVCPVT
— Fremantle Dockers AFLW (@freodockersAFLW) April 4, 2023
AFLW Senior Coach Lisa Webb said she was excited to add Mulder’s toughness to the midfield lineup.
“Tahleah is certainly a tough inside midfielder, she has got a really good burst of speed and it’s quite similar to the way Hayley Miller plays,” Webb said.
“She’s strong over the ball, but probably what stood out for me is her delivery inside 50, which is something that is always going to help us score.
“She’s been really brave and strong in the contests I’ve seen her go into, having that strong contested ball winner is something we have been really looking at.
“Tahleah’s also a strong runner with some really good skills by foot with a strong inside 50 connection kick.”
AFLW Supplementary Draft pick 7 – Emmelie Fiedler
AFLW Supplementary Draft pick 17 – Jae Flynn
AFLW Supplementary Draft pick 21 – Joanne Cregg
